Amnesty Island

AmnestyIsland is a game or exercise created to help ease the occasional awkwardness of close friendships or relationships, regardless of gender. The awkwardness may be caused when one or both partners do not want to reveal their true feelings and observations for fear that it could damage the closeness, especially if one or both partners have significant others. Throughout all relationships, time marches on and pushes people farther away from revealing their true feelings and observations. AmnestyIsland is a way of freezing time and placing the world around them in suspended animation, if only for 60 minutes. Within these 60 precious minutes (30 minutes per person), each person has an opportunity to reveal whatever they want without suffering any adverse consequences; thus, they are given "amnesty" for anything they may say or reveal and it need "never" be discussed between them again and it can "never" be held against them. The rules are quite simple and further spell out the essence of the game. Truth is the ultimate pursuit and it has to be present or the game suffers and the point is loss. The significance of the "island" part is explained in the rules below.

Setting the Mood: Although AmnestyIsland can be played anytime, this exercise is most effective when conducted in the evening (i.e., after dinner). The atmosphere should be as comfortable as possible to help relax tensions. For example, relaxing on the floor on pillows or sitting on the edge of a bed may provide some comfort. Candles and light spirits are optional but music is not recommended for fear that it may distract one's attention away from the conversation.

The Scenario: The two of you are alone on a deserted island. The world is coming to an end in 60 minutes and everyone else has expired except for the two of you. You use your last minutes of time to reveal information or ask questions that you've always wanted to know the answers to but were too afraid to act. You now know that it doesn't matter anymore since the world is coming to an end and no one else will ever know what is being revealed. Thus, the game can only be played once.

The Rules:

1. The flip of a coin determines which person goes first.

2. After the flip is confirmed, the first person gets only 30 minutes to "ask" any questions or reveal anything they want regarding the other person. [This part is timed.]

3. The person being asked the questions is required to answer truthfully. The answers are also part of the 30 minutes time limit.

4. After both persons are finished, the candles are blown out to signify the game is over [or the world has ended]. Time has been released and the world is unfrozen.

5. The upside to this rare exercise is that it allows both to "exhale" and to continue their closeness uninterrupted. There is no downside other than having to live with whatever was revealed or learned from this exercise. Enjoy the experience and please do not waste your precious minutes on frivolous questions. This exercise is centered around and concerns only two people -- you and your "close" friend - and no one else. This game should only be played with a close friend.